Big Day for American Swimmers

By The Associated Press

July 30, 2013

Missy Franklin and Katie Ledecky each won her second gold medal of the meet, Matt Grevers led a 1-2 American finish in the backstroke and the United States claimed three golds, two silvers and a bronze at the world swimming championships in Barcelona, Spain. Ledecky, 16, obliterated the world record in the 1,500-meter freestyle, beating the mark by more than six seconds. Franklin easily won the 100 backstroke.

Grevers touched ahead of his teammate David Plummer in the 100 backstroke, and there were Americans on the podium in all five finals. Conor Dwyer picked up a silver behind Yannick Agnel of France in the 200 free, and Jessica Hardy chipped in with a bronze in the 100 breaststroke won by Lithuania’s Ruta Meilutyte.

The only disappointment for the United States was Ryan Lochte, who labored to a fourth-place finish in the 200 freestyle.